Causes & Effects of Disease in Agricultural Production
Case Study
Footrot in sheep
Panama disease of bananas
Infectious diseases in Australian Agriculture
Pathogen
Dichelobacter nodosus (bacteria)
Symptoms
painful abscesses between the toes
lameness
weight loss
Factors
Dichelobacter nodosus must be present
Factors
Environmental
soil outside host for max. 4 days
pastures - long, dense and wet
aid in pathogen survival and transfer
temperature
warm weather favours growth of bacteria
Factors contributing to risk of infectious disease
increased nobility of human populations
rise of intensive and industrial-type agriculture
changing patterns of land use
climate change
antimicrobial resistance
pesticide resistance
loss of genetic diversity
increase in 'hobby farmers'
pathogen detected on a property that grew Cavendish bananas
in the Tully Valley, North Queensland.
Panama Tropical Race 4 disease
caused by fungus Fusarium oxysporum
symptoms
yellowing and wilting of leaves and splitting of stems
conducting tissues are damaged
plant is starved of water and food
spread through root-to-root contact and contaminated soil from machinery and shoes
Interventions
farming operations ceased
Perimeter fences were reinforced
strict quarantine rules enforced by Biosecurity Queensland
Effects of infectious diseases in plants
biological effects on individual plant
social and economic effects on farmers
social and economic effects on Australia's economy
social and economic effects of diseases in plants
reduced yields of grains, pastures, fruits and vegetables
loss of trading opportunities, both nationally and internationally
economic loss for the farmer, resulting in financial hardship adn stress for family and local community.